The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-11-02
MECHANICAL.

Spots NAV be taken from gliding by |
immersing the articles in solution of |
alum in pure soft water. Dry with
sawdust.
FIBERITE is a new insulating mate
rial made from wood pulp, and is being |
used for storage cells and by various
electrical concerns. 1t is said to give
satisfaction.
SOME German investigators have cal
culated the relative liability of injury
to the eye, finding that if all parts OF
the body were equally exposed to in
jury, wounds of the eye would bear to
wounds of other parts the proportion
of one in about COO; as q matter OF fact,
the proportion is about thirty-six in
1000.
A METHOD by which the immense de-
posts of iron sand which abound on
the coast of New Zealand can be sue
cessfully utilized has been brought
forward. The feature of tho new pro-
cess consists in uniting quantity of
scoria with the sand when put in the
blast. This, it seems, has the effect of
preventing the iron from oxidiZing, an
obstacle that has heretofore never been
successfully overcome in smelling iron
sand.
READERS whose books have been or
are likely to be attacked by mildew
may preserve them to some extent by
placing a saucer of quicklime near, in
the bookcase or shelf, or where con-
venient. The lime absorbs the excess
of moisture, and must be renewed, as
it becomes slaked and loses its strength.
1t is equally good for putting in linen
chests, iron safes, or wherever there is
likely to be any mustiness owing to the
exclusion of fresh air.
THOUGH it is claimed as one of the
advantages of electricity that it does not
raise the temperature of the atmosphere
when used for lighting, it is neverthe-
less, says La Nature, capable, under
certain conditions of evolving heat.
This property is about to be turned to
profitable account by the Societe des
Usines Electriques, of Berlin, who have
announced that, in future, in addition
TO light, they will be prepared to fur
nish a supply of electricity for heating
purposes. The appliances which the
society offer to their customers have
which they are to be put. For instance,
for boiling water they have contrived a
vessel having two cases, between which
is placed q resistance coil. 1t is stated
that with this appliance about ] pints
of water can be raised to boiling point
with four amperes 100 volts. In GER
tain theaters electric stoves are en-
ployed for heating the curling tongs,
the use of gas jets and spirit lamps be-
ing vigorously forbidden.
A DEFECTIVE blow-off is always
serious defect. If it is in such con-
dition that it will not hold water it is,
of course, dangerous All kinds of
valves, whether straightway, globe, or
any other form of construction yet de-
vised for valves, are unsuitable things
for closing blow-off pipes. They all
have the grave defect that p eces of
scale or other hard substances are liza
bic to get under the valve and prevent
its closing; and there is no way to tell
whether this has happened in any par
ticular case except by examining the
end of the blow-otf pipe after the valve
is supposed to be closed, to see whether
it leaks or not. Plug-cocks as they are
ordinarily made are always giving
trouble 10y leakage; pieces OF scale or
other gritty substances cut the plug
and body; they are liable to stick SO
that it is with great difficulty they can
be opened, and various other things
make them a source of much trouble /;
but for all this it is positively known
at any time by simple inspection of
the plug itself whether it is shut or
not, and the amount of leakage, if there
is any, generally shows for itself around
the plug, so we are inclined, in spite of
its grave defects, to give preference to
the common plug-cock over any form
of valve, as means of closing blow
off pipes. But an improved form of
plug-cock has within few years been
put upon the market Originally de-
vised in England which is, without
question, superior to anything else for
blow-offs. 1t is made of iron, is pro-
tected from corrosion, by Professor
Barff's process, and is packed with as
bestos. Wherever it has been tried it
has given most satisfactory results, and
is undoubtedly the best blow-off valve
made. The Locomotive.